Low-water signal for steam-boilers



(N0 Model.)

L. FRITZ.

' Lo'w WATER SIGNAL FOB, STEAM BOILERS.

No. 536,988. Patented Apr. 2, 1895.

, UNITED STATES PATENT QF-rron.

LOUIS FRITZ, OF-PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

LOW-WATER SIGNAL FOR STEAM-BOILERS.

$IEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 536,988, dated April 2, 1895.

Application filed October 2; 1894. Serial No. 524,729- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.- 1

Be it known that I, LOUIS FRITZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved Low-Water Signal for Steam-Boilers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a low-water signal of simple construction and effective'in operation, by which sounds are given when the water in the boiler has reached the low-water mark and a further object is to so construct, adapt and assemble the different parts constituting the signal as to be applicable to any boiler or its fixture, as steam gages or water-columns.

To apply my improved signal to water-columns or boilers, it is only necessary to unscrew the lower two of the try or test cocks and attach the signal by means of pipe nipples and pipe Ts without it being necessary to drill and tap holes for such connection, or for the mounting of the two unscrewed testcocks, which are fitted onto one branch of the pipe Ts, aswill be more fully explained.

The improved low-water signal consists of parts constructed and assembled ashereinafter morefully described and pointed out in the claims.

My invention will be more fully understood taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which Figure 1 is a general view showing the application of the improved signal to a watercolumn. Fig. 2 is a plan View thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical central section of my improved signal, showing the vessel communicating by two pipe connections with the boiler, the float therein having the valve stem, and a valve seat and passages in the vessel cover to which the whistle or other sound-producing apparatus is attached. Fig. 4. is a similar section taken at right angles to the one shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is an under side view of the cover or lid of the vessel showing the valve seat and port and passages leading thereto.

Referring now to the drawings fora further description of my invention, A is a vessel of cylindrical or other form having tapped connection holes a and a and a cover a removably applied to said vessel by bolts or any A is a whistle or other steam-operated sound producing apparatus, attached in any suitable manner to the cover a and having its steam conduits in communication with the port 0}.

B is a float of similar shape as the vessel A in Which it is located and allowed to rise orfall according to the quantity of water contained in the boiler. This float is made of suitable materialand of sufficient strength to withstand the pressure of the steam. The top b and bottom b thereof may be made flat, convex or concave, and the circular or other side wall I) may or may not be provided with guide-beads or projections 5 In the top I) and bottom I) of the float are provided channels b and b respectively, which are in the same axial line and in the axis of the connections fitted into the holes a and a, of the'vessel A. These channels are of such dimensions in cross-section as that the free entering of water or steam on the top and bottom of the float is not obstructed for a purpose to be more fully described.

A valve stem 1) is formed with or secured to the top I) of the float B and is guided in a bore a of the stud a on the cover a and the free extremity thereof is adapted to fit the valve seat of the port a which may be of any shape desired. To prevent the float from turning, i. a, to retain the channels b and b in line with the connections in the holes a and a, the valve stem is provided with a pin or projection b fittinginto a slot 0, of the stud a in such a manner that the cover a of the vessel A may be easily removed and the float allowed to rise and fall as will be understood.

In attaching my improved low-water signal, use is made of the two tap-holes provided for the lower two of three try or test cocks f, which are essential for the probing of the safety of the boiler. Into these tap-holes, whether formed in the boiler shell D Fig. 3 directly, or in a water-column e attachedby two pipes e to the boiler D Figs. 1 and 2, are screwed nipples i and pipe Ts 11 On one branch of the pipe Ts the two lower test cocks f are held, while in the remaining branch of the respective Ts are screwed nipples i having right and left hand threads, by which the vessel A by means of the connection holes a and a is securely connected to the said Ts extending either from the boiler shell directly or from a water-column E connected with the boiler shell D as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The operation or working of the improved signal may be described as follows: The float B is kept in an elevated position as shown in Fig. 3 as long as the water is above the axis of the connection a, or lower try cock f, and keeps the port a to the whistle A closed; but as soon as it falls below this axis, the steam pressing on the top of the float B forces the same and the valve stem 71 downward to admit steam contained in the vessel through the passages a into the port a and from here to the whistle or other signaling device, calling attention that the water has receded below the water mark.

A particular feature of my invention is to provide a float having greatest buoyancy combined with smallest floating area, so that the signal is efficient in operation and neat in appearance and construction. For this purpose and for the purpose of reducing friction between float and vessel, which would result from the steam pressing directly on or against the wall of the float and bringing the latter into contact with the wall of the vessel A, the

channels 19' and b are provided in the top and bottom surfaces of the float.

The vessel A is provided with a blow-oft cock 9 to remove sud and dirt or other matter collecting in the vessel.

Having thus described the nature and objects of my invention, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with a boiler, a low-water signal comprising a vessel, a float within the same, a valve stem on said float and a valve seat and port in the cover of the vessel, a signal attached to the cover of said vessel, a channel in the top and bottom surfaces of the float coinciding in dimensions and relative positions with the connections between the boiler and the said vessel, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination with a boiler, a low-water signal comprising a vessel having two pipeconnections, one above the other, with the boiler, a signaling device on top of the vessel, a float in said vessel provided with a channel at its top and bottom surface coinciding with the said pipe-connections, a valve between the said float and vessel, and means for retaining the channels of the float in axial line I with the said pipe-connections, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing wit- DGSSBS.

LOUIS FRITZ. \Vitnesses:

HERMANN BORMANN, Geo. D. NUBER. 

